News from MadisonJournalTODAY - Topics from December, 2013

It’s nearly time for the old Scottish poem set to a traditional folk tune. “Auld Lang Syne” is the familiar song belted out when the clock strikes midnight, marking the end of one year and the beginning of another. So here’s a look back at the past year of local news, a recap of what happened in Madison County in 2013: JANUARY ...
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An alleged Comer kidnapper was found in possession of explosives on Christmas Eve. Local, state and federal law enforcement officers searched the home of Antonio Lavanta Meadows, 30, 87 Flint Street, Comer, Dec. 24. Law officers went to Meadows’ home to arrest him for the alleged Dec. 21 kidnapping of a female. According to Comer Police Chief ...
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A Comer man was arrested recently after an officer tried to stop him for speeding. Jonathan Michael Patton, 28, Comer, was charged with DUI/drugs, defective tires, reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude and speeding. According to the incident report, officer Jeff Strickland was traveling south on Paoli Road when he saw a blue Ford ...
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Madison County School Superintendent Allen McCannon urged local legislators Dec. 16 to look out for rural school systems, adding that the outlook for systems such as Madison County’s is bleak without more support from lawmakers. “Rural counties without interstate or industry are on the verge of losing their school systems,” said McCannon. ...
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A Danielsville man was taken into custody last week after officer James Justice was dispatched to a suspicious vehicle on Friendship Church Road. Jimmy Ardell Anthony, 58, was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, prescription drugs must be in their original container ...
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Madison County Industrial Authority employees, like their county employee counterparts, will receive a one-time $900 bonus, or “cost of living adjustment,” in their paychecks this Christmas. The bonus will not include IDA executive director Marvin White, who is a contract employee with the IDA through the county Chamber of Commerce. In ...
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By Jeremy Elrod Correspondent The Hull Fire Department requested a 10-percent increase in funding for the 2014 year from the city to help offset rising insurance costs, but only received approval for a five-percent increase by the council. “From this point forward the city will get exactly what our service agreement calls for, which is the ...
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A Colbert woman was arrested recently after she lied to an officer about the whereabouts of her son, who had warrants for his arrest. Kathy Patricia Morgan, 60, was charged with one count of hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal. Her son, Justin Lee Neese, 38, also of Colbert, was later found and charged with four counts of ...
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Madison County will soon have a website dedicated to informing voters about elections and the election process. County commissioners heard Dec. 6 from board of elections member Leo Smith, who suggested that the county start such a site. “Voters need to be able to find answers to their questions immediately,” said Smith. “And you do this ...
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